Rocket and Space Corporation Energia-Korolev

ROCKET AND SPACE
CORPORATION
ENERGIA
The Legacy of S. P. Korolev
All rights reserved under article two of the Berne Copyright Convention (1971).
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the
Book Publishing Industry Development Program for our publishing activities.
Published by Apogee Books an imprint of Collector's Guide Publishing Inc., Box 62034, Burlington, Ontario, Canada, L7R 4K2
Printed and bound in Canada
Rocket & Space Corporation Energia
Edited by Robert Godwin
ISBN 1-896522-81-5
English Edition ©2001 RSCE/Apogee Books
All photos courtesy of RSCE
FROM FIRST
SATELLITE TO
ENERGIA - BURAN
and MIR
4
Editor's Introduction
When I first acquired an imprint of the original Russian edition of this book I sat and
perused the pages in stunned silence. I felt as though I had fallen into some kind of strange
parallel universe. Within the pages were pictures of things familiar and yet not so.
It is perhaps a testament to the ingenious human spirit that two entirely divergent cultures
could make such remarkable strides in the field of space exploration and yet indelibly
stamp their own mark on the designs. The inexorable laws of physics dictate that there
are certain absolutes which constrain us, but the fact remains that there are many ways to
achieve the same goals.
In the following pages you will see images which bring to life the dextrous faculties of the
Russian engineers and scientists. Arrayed within are an impressive string of designs which
placed the Russian people in the vanguard of space exploring nations.
In much the same way as the United States had done, the victorious forces of the Soviet
Union returned home at the end of World War 2 with the spoils of war. Accessing much
of the remarkable research undertaken by the German scientists at Peenemiinde the great
designer S.R Korolev brought the R-l missile to life and placed his country on a road
peppered with historic accomplishments.
From I957's first artificial satellite Sputnik through to the remarkable space stations of the
end of the 20th century the Russian people and the engineers and scientists of Rocket &
Space Corporation Energia have created and sustained an impressive legacy of
technological triumphs.
At the turn of the millennium the Russian and American people are now working together
with people from around the world to establish the International Space Station.
Undoubtedly this synergy between East and West has only just begun to bear fruit and the
world has yet to see where this new detente between old adversaries will lead us. One
thing is clear however, the aptitude and excellence of the designs which continue to
emerge from Rocket and Space Corporation Energia will continue to surprise us.
Robert Godwin
(Editor - English Edition)
Special thanks for assistance with the English edition to:
Space Media Incorporated and

Space Hab Incorporated
ROCKET AND SPACE CORPORATION ENERGIA 5
Two significant events laid the foundation for the geophysical rockets followed.After the successful
epoch of space exploration: launch into Earth launch of the world's first intercontinental
orbit of the world's first artificial satellite ballistic missile, R-7 (August 21, 1957), launches
(October 4, 1957); and the first manned Earth- of the first Earth artificial satellites were
orbiting space flight (April 12, 1961).With these performed, as well as launches of spacecraft of
landmark events, the evolution of national various purpose using modified R-7 missiles.
cosmonautics entered the history of mankind. Wide-scale exploration of space had begun:
Luna, Venera, Mars, Zond and other automatic
Preceding these events, much hard work was interplanetary stations were launched; flights of
undertaken in the development of rocket and unmanned and manned spacecraft of theVostok
space technology, and its associated industries, type were made; multi-seat spacecraft of the
beginning as early as 1946. Voskhod type were created; and the first
cosmonaut egress into open space was carried
In the spring of 1946, Nil (Research Institutes), out.
KB (Design Bureaus), and test centers were
created in accordance with a government As the research scope was widened and studies
decision, and plants for the development and were extended, Korolev delegated specific
manufacture of ballistic long-range missiles were research and development subjects to other
conceived. organizations, transferring to them his deputies
and the best qualified personnel to continue the
88 State Research Institute of Reaction work begun. For example, all matters related to
Armament (NII-88) (which in 1956 became the communication satellites he referred to the KB
OKB-I independent organization and now is led by M. Ph. Reshetnev; subjects of probing and
called S. P. Korolev space corporation Energia) photography of the Earth to D. I. Kozlov;
acted as the prime organization for this work.At problems caused by studies of deep space and
that time, a team led by General Designer Sergei automatic Earth artificial satellites to G. N.
Pavlovich Korolev was engaged in the design of Babakin; and so on, keeping manned spacecraft
ballistic long-range missiles with liquid rocket and heavy launch vehicles for himself.Therefore,
engines. practically all of the KB's engaged in the field of
space technology originated with, but were then
While complying with state assignments to separated from, the KB led by Korolev himself.
create combat long-range missiles, S. P. Korolev
oriented his team to simultaneously develop and The team of S. P. Korolev, continuing his
perform space exploration study programs traditions, created a new series - the Soyuz
beginning with research of the Earth's upper spacecraft - with which the docking of spacecraft
atmospheric layers. Therefore, after the flight of in orbit was tested, allowing crew members to
the first native ballistic missile, R-l (October 10, transfer from one spacecraft to another.
1948), flights of R-l A, R-IB, R-IV and other
6
At the beginning of the I970's NPO Energia (the space, providing both new, powerful acquisitions
former Korolev KB) was headed by academician of scientific knowledge and practical human
V. P. Glushko. activity in the study and exploration of space.
At this time a new stage of orbital station The need for reducing the cost of injecting
creation was begun. The problems involved in payload mass into orbit is the main stimulating
long-term station operation were solved. Crew factor for further modifications and creation of
rotation and cargo delivery were performed new launch vehicles. Zenit and Energia-M launch
using both manned and cargo spacecraft. vehicles, developed on the basis of the Energia
system, allow this task to be solved.
The Mir station, to which the Kvant, Kvant-2, and
Kristall research modules were later docked, was The national space program has always envisaged
in orbit from February 20, 1986 until its cosmonautics as being used not only in the
successful deorbit in 2001.The work performed interests of our country, but in those of all
at orbital stations provided great scientific and mankind.
national economic value. International crews
took part in flights to the orbital stations. RSCE stands ready to exchange its achievements
in space with all countries. We propose
The Energia launch vehicle, combined with performing launches of spacecraft of other
rocket boosters created at NPO Energia, allowed nations and international organizations with our
a universal space platform, inside a cargo launch vehicles and carrying out joint studies at
transport container, to be put into near-Earth orbital stations, based on mutual agreement.
orbit to solve several tasks of national economic
purpose, including the creation of global As always, we shall do everything to keep space
communication system, Telecast. It also put peaceful, international, and serving the interests
automatic interplanetary spacecraft into flight of all mankind, both now and in the future.
trajectories to the Moon, the planets and deep
President of S. P. Korolev Space

Corporation Energia
Yu. P. Semenov
Space for science, only for peaceful purposes, for the benefit of a man
relentlessly perceiving the innermost mysteries of nature - that is the way
space studies are developed and performed.
S. P. Korolev
In 1946 S. P. Korolev was charged with heading completion of flight design tests, the R-l missile
the development work on ballistic was put into operation with its ground support
liquid-propellant long-range missiles. complex.
Having gained experience with the prototype Hand-in-hand with the creation of combat
research missiles of the pre-war period and ballistic missiles, on Korolev's initiative, a
having studied the problems with the German program to research the upper atmosphere was
missile weapons, Korolev began his own developed in partnership with institutes of the
independent path of development. He created a Academy of Sciences of the USSR. Based on the
number of native teams within the rocket-space R-l missile, R-l A, R-IB, R-IV, R-IE and other
complex, heading up the manned spacecraft and geophysical rockets were created. Using these
heavy launch vehicle development group himself. missiles comprehensive studies of the
atmosphere up to an altitude of 100 km were
To provide operational solutions to all of the carried out. On April 21, 1949 the first
various fundamental scientific and technical geophysical rocket, the R-l A, lifted two
problems encountered in the course of containers with scientific equipment to an
developing the missile complexes, Korolev altitude of I 10 km, they were then recovered
initiated the Council of Chief Designers, using parachutes.
including S. P. Korolev,V. P. Barmin.V. P. Glushko,V.
I. Kuznetsov, N. A. Piljugin, and M. S. Rjazansky. Further work on ballistic missiles led to the R-2
Each Chief Designer headed his own KB (Design in !950.To increase the accuracy, the missile nose
Bureau), each with a different specialty. cone, 1.5 tons in mass, was made separable
during flight. The R-2 range was 590 km with a
The first controlled ballistic long-range missile, launching mass of 20.3 tons. Thus, in 1951, a
the R-1, was developed by the Korolev team second missile complex was put into operation
based on the German A-4 (V-2) rocket in 1948. for the Soviet Army.
The R-1 missile was 13.4 tons in mass, had a 270 Based on the R-2 missile, the R-2A geophysical
km range, and a non-separating nose cone with a rocket was created which performed
mass of I.I tons.The R-1 missile engine,RD-100, atmospheric probing up to an altitude of 210 km.
was created based on the German rocket engine
at the Glushko KB. Liquid oxygen and alcohol In 1953 the first tactical missile using a storable
were used as the propellant. Missile flight control propellant (nitric acid and carbon-hydrogen fuel),
was performed using aerodynamic vanes and gas the R-1 I, was created with a range of 270 km.
control jets. The R-l I's launch mass was 5.5 tons and the
nose cone mass was 0.67 tons.The engine thrust
13 NIl's (Research Institutes) and KB's, as well as was about 8 tons with the system propellant
35 plants, took part in the creation of the R-l developed by the Isaev KB installed on the
missile. The first launch of the R-l occurred on missile.The thrust vector control was performed
September 17, 1948. It failed. Because of a by gas jet. The first launch of the R-l I missile
control system failure the missile deviated almost occurred on April 18, 1953. In 1955 the missile
50° from the flight line. Success came with an was put into operation.
October 10, 1948 launch. In 1950, after
8
The legacy of S. P. Korolev
The R-1 I was the basis of development of the The creation of the two-stage intercontinental
R-l IM and R-l IFM missiles.The R-l IM missile ballistic missile, the R-7, was the outstanding
was designed to use a nose cone with a military achievement of native rocket development. The
nuclear charge. The first launch of the R-l IM launch mass of the R-7 missile was 280 tons.
missile was performed on December 30, 1955. A Unlike preceding missiles, the launching facilities
complex with R - I I M missiles was put into for the R-7 missile were stationary. Launch of
operation in 1958. this missile from USSR territory could respond
to nuclear attack from practically any point in
The R-l IFM missile was designed to be launched possible enemy territory.
from submarines.The R-l IFM was first launched
from the swinging sea stand in May 1955, and The first stage of the R-7 consisted of four side
then on September 16, 1955 from a submarine. units.The second stage core unit also included an
The missile was launched from submarine above upper compartment in which a payload of up to
the water line.The R-l IFM missile opened up a 5.4 tons was accommodated. The main
new trend of development in combat missiles - four-chamber engines designed by V. P. Glushko
sea-based missiles - and was put into operation and new control engines from S. P. Korolev for
by the USSR Navy. Further work on sea-based controlling the thrust vector were installed in
missiles was transferred to a newly organized KB these units. All engines used liquid oxygen and
which was headed by V. P. Makeev, successor of S. kerosene. The drive for the turbopump units
P. Korolev. The missile was first launched from was actuated using hydrogen peroxide. The
underwater on December 23, 1958. engines of all units were started on the ground.
The liftoff thrust was 406 tons.
Work on creation of ballistic long-range missiles
continued at OKB-I and, as a result of Because of its overall dimensions, the missile was
goal-oriented studies and experiments, the first delivered to the testing grounds by rail in a
strategic missile, the R-5, appeared.The first R-5 disassembled state. The missile assembly, with
launch was on March 15, 1953, with a range of further pneumo- and electro-tests, was carried
1200 km. A liquid oxygen and alcohol engine of out at the technical complex specially built for
43.8 tons thrust at ground level was installed on this purpose. The assembled and tested missile
the missile. Flight control was performed by gas was transported to the launching site by railway
jets and aerodynamic surfaces. line using a special transport-installation unit
propelled by a diesel locomotive. The loading of
In 1955, a modification of this missile, the R-5M, the missile propellant components was carried
with a nuclear military charge in the nose cone, out from mobile loading units delivered to the
was developed. The first launch of the R-5M launching site after the missile.
missile was on January 21, 1955 and its testing
with a nuclear military charge was carried out on The first launch of the R-7 missile, on May 15,
February 2, 1956. In 1956 the R-5M missile was 1957, was a failure. The R-7 successfully flew to
put into operation. intercontinental range on August 21, !957.There
was a special TASS report on this launch, which
Along with the R-5 and R-5M missiles, was the third after the flight tests began,
geophysical rockets R-5A, R-5B, R-5V, and R-5R informing the world that the Soviet Union had
were created and used to continue studies of the become the owner of this lethal weapon.
upper atmospheric layers and space, as well as to
investigate advanced rocket performance. On In January 1956, on S. P. Korolev's insistence, a
February 21, 1958 the R-5V rocket lifted decision was made to develop an artificial Earth
scientific equipment with a mass of 1520 kg to an satellite which could be launched by the R-7
altitude of 473 km - a record at the time. missile. The fact of this launch was to be
communicated to and verified by all of the
countries of the world. For this purpose, radio • AIS E2, E2A, E3 - for Moon fly-around and
equipment was installed on the satellite. photography of its back side;
Accurate measurement of the orbit parameters • AIS E6 - for soft landing on the Moon's
of the artificial satellite was provided by radio surface with transfer of its surface images to
and optical stations. Earth;
• AIS E7 - for creation of a Moon satellite;
The world's first artificial orbiting satellite was • AIS E8 - for provision of soft landing on the
injected into near-Earth orbit by an R-7 launch Moon, and soil sampling and its delivery to
vehicle on October 4, 1957. This event marked Earth.
the beginning of a new era in the history of
civilization - the space age. Stations EI, E2, and E3 were to be launched by a
three-stage rocket (R-7 plus rocket unit E) and
Earth's first artificial satellite (PS-1, 83.6 kg in E6 and the following by a four-stage rocket (R-7
mass) went into an orbit with an apogee of 947 plus rocket unit I plus booster l_).
km, a perigee of 228 km, an inclination of 65.6°,
and remained in orbit for 92 days.This first Earth The first native liquid-fueled rocket engine used
orbiting satellite provided data on the lifetime of a liquid oxygen and carbon-hydrogen propellant,
satellites in near-Earth orbit, on radio wave provided 5.6 tons of thrust, and was installed in
passage through the ionosphere, and on the unit E.To drive the turbopump unit, gas pressure
effects of space flight conditions on satellite was derived from a generator that used the main
equipment operation. A month later (November propellant components. A system of special gas
3, 1957) the second Earth artificial satellite (PS-2, distribution throttles, gas lines and control
508.3 kg in mass) was put into orbit with an gas-reaction nozzles behind the turbine was first
experimental animal (a dog, Laika) on board, and used for control on unit E. The engine
then on May 15, 1958 the third Earth satellite development was jointly conducted by the S. P.
(D-l, 1,327 kg in mass - a real space laboratory) Korolev and S.A. Kosberg KB's.
was launched into space.
Unit I was also used as the third stage of a
The results of these first Earth satellite launches four-stage launch vehicle and designed for the
were the genesis of the development of spacecraft's final maneuvering into Earth satellite
interplanetary stations to investigate the Moon orbit. A four-chamber liquid oxygen and
and planets of the Solar System. carbon-hydrogen propellant engine, the RO-9
providing 30 tons of thrust, was installed in the
Missions for study of the Moon and unit. This engine was developed by the Kosberg
interplanetary flight required re-equipping the KB.
launch vehicle with a third stage to increase its
power-mass characteristics. In addition to the Booster L was conceived for boosting a
third stage a booster, which could impart an spacecraft out of Earth orbit and transferring it
additional cosmic speed (more than I I km/s) to into a planetary flight trajectory. For the first
interplanetary stations, was required to enable time, a rocket unit was fired under
them to depart from Earth orbit. weightlessness. The world's first closed-loop
engine, with thrust of about 7 tons and using
Interplanetary stations (IS's) and automatic liquid oxygen and carbon-hydrogen propellant,
interplanetary stations (AIS's) were designed for was installed in booster L. This engine was
flights to the Moon. developed by the Korolev KB.
They were given the drawing symbol "E":
IS's of the El and El A types differed mainly in the
• IS EI - for Moon flyby;
scientific equipment installed. Structurally they
• IS El A - For reaching the surface of the
were similar to the first Earth satellite PS-1.
Moon;
10
AIS's E2, E2A, and E3 had solar array elements, was launched to study Venus and flew to within a
radio complex antennas, and gas microengines distance of about 100 thousand km from the
for altitude control on the outer surface. The planet.This AIS was named Venera-1.
radio complex, automation, research equipment,
phototelevision device, and buffer electric Because of the tasks identified for solution with
batteries were housed inside the main hull. respect to exploration of interplanetary space -
planet fly-by's, with photography and radio
AIS E6 differed from its predecessors. It probing at small distances, and delivery of the
consisted of three main, functionally isolated descent vehicles to the planet's surfaces - it was
parts: decided to proceed to the development of the
• a correcting-brake engine with control MV-type unified automatic interplanetary station
system units; for flights to Mars and Venus.
• two compartments with equipment that
were jettisoned before braking at the Moon's On November I, 1962 an MV-type station
surface; (2MV-4 No 4) named Mars-1 with a mass of
• an automatic autonomous lunar station. 893.5 kg was launched. However, because of
deficient pressurization of the high pressure
None of the systems of AIS E6 were duplicated system for operating the altitude-control
because of strict mass limitations. microengines the station failed to fulfill its task.
All subsequent 2MV-type AIS's were not
The first successful launch of an IS - El, known successful either.
in the press as "Mechta" (Luna-1) - was
performed on January 2, 1959. This station flew AIS 3MV-4 No 3 (Zond-3), launched into
at a distance of 5 to 6 thousand km from the heliocentric orbit with a Moon fly-by on July 18,
Moon and then became a satellite of the Sun. IS 1965, was the first AIS to completely fulfill its
El A started on September 12, 1959 and task. On November 12, 1965 the Venera-2 AIS
delivered a pennant of the Soviet Union to the was launched into Venus fly-by trajectory, and on
Moon on September 14, 1959. This station was March I, 1966 the Venera-3 AIS (3MV-3 No I,
named Luna-2. Luna-3, launched on October 4, launched on November 16, 1965), delivered a
1959, spent 40 minutes photographing the back Soviet Union pennant to the surface of Venus.
side of the Moon and then transferred its
imagery to Earth. The world's first television The successful missions of Zond-3,Venera-2, and
image of the Moon's surface was obtained by AIS Venera-3 made it possible to terminate the first
Luna-9, launched from Earth on January 31,1966. phase of the planned program of Mars and Venus
exploration and draw a number of fundamental
Automatic stations of the type IM (to Mars), scientific conclusions, specifically: to determine
IVA (to Venus), and then MV, the launch of which the boundary of Earth's atmosphere; to clarify
was performed by the above mentioned the character of magnetic fields in the Solar
four-stage rocket (R-7 plus unit I plus booster L) System; and to give the first insights into the
were designed for flights to Mars and Venus. atmospheres of the planets explored.
Activity on creation of these stations began in
I960. In 1966, all work related to the exploration of
the Solar System's planets and the Moon using
The first four-stage rocket and space system with automatic interplanetary stations (including
the I M-type automatic interplanetary station continuation of work on E6, E7and E8-type AIS's)
(AIS) aboard for exploring Mars was launched on was transferred to the KB headed by G. N.
October 10, I960. Because the I rocket module Babakin.
engine failed, the AIS was not injected into Earth
orbit. On February 12, 1961 the IVA-type AIS The daring idea was carried further as
ROCKET AND SPACE CORPORATION ENERGIA n
preparation for the first manned spacecraft cosmonaut to Earth the control system sent a
launch began. In the spring of 1957 in OKB-I (as command to the engine to provide a braking
Korolev KB came to be called) the spacecraft pulse; after that the spacecraft deorbited and
design department under the supervision of M. then the descent vehicle separated from the
K.Tikhonravov was organized for the purpose of instrumentation module and descended to Earth
studying and deriving solutions for the complex along the ballistic trajectory. At an altitude of 7
problems relating to launching a man into space. km the cosmonaut in a space suit left the descent
Having conducted extensive studies since vehicle using the ejection seat and then landed by
September 1958, this department started passing parachute on his own. Having flown around the
the technical directions on the development of Earth in a matter of 108 minutes, Yu. A. Gagarin
the spacecraft's onboard systems to its successfully descended to his native land.
co-executors.Tedious work on the development
and testing of the spacecraft, rocket, and On August 6, 1961 the Vostok-2 spacecraft, with
launching complex systems was culminated by cosmonaut G. S.Titov aboard, was launched.The
check launches of the I KP unmanned spacecraft cosmonaut was in space for an entire day.
(May 15, 1960) and spacecraft with dogs aboard
(Chaika and Lisichka on July 28, I960, Belka and The Vostok spacecraft program involved the
Strelka on August 19, I960, Pchelka and Mushka launch of six manned spacecraft, including group
on December I, I960, Shutka and Cometa on flights of two pairs of spacecraft, and including
December 22, I960, Chernushka on March 9, the flight of the first woman-cosmonaut. The
1961, and Zvezdochka on March 25, 1961) and program was a success. On August I I and 12,
using dummies. 1962 theVostok-3 andVostok-4 spacecraft were
in space, and theVostok-5 andVostok-6 followed
The test flights were not without problems. For on June 16-19, 1963.The Vostok-6 spacecraft was
various reasons, the program was twice piloted byValentinaVladimirovnaTereshkova.
interrupted (on July 28, I960 and December I,
I960), and the flight of the spacecraft-satellite The experience accumulated in the development
launched on December 22, I960 became only a of the Vostok spacecraft was used to create the
suborbital mission. The causes of the failures Voskhod three-man spacecraft (launched on
were thoroughly analyzed and eliminated. October 12, 1964) and the Voskhod-2 two-man
spacecraft. During the flight of Voskhod-2, on
The experience gained made it possible to March 18, 1965, cosmonaut A. A. Leonov was the
proceed immediately to preparation for first in the world to egress into space. Upon
launching a manned spacecraft. The Vostok completion of the program, the Vostok- and
spacecraft, with Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin Voskhod-type spacecraft became technological
onboard, was launched on April 12, 1961 at 9:07 history as new scientific and engineering ideas
a.m. Moscow time.The spacecraft, massing 4,725 were pursued.
kg, was put into an orbit with a perigee of 1 8 1
km, an apogee of 327 km, and an inclination of In 1957, work on the construction of automatic
65° by the three-stage launch vehicle (R-7 + spacecraft designed for photography of Earth's
block E) named Vostok. The Vostok spacecraft surface was under way. In the course of this
included a spherical descent vehicle (2.3 m in work, based on the Vostok spacecraft, the
diameter and 2.46 tons in mass), a biconical Zenit-2 unmanned spacecraft was designed,
instrumentation module (with a maximum manufactured, tested and put into operation, and
diameter of 2.5 m and a mass of 2.265 tons), and the Zenit-4 spacecraft design was developed.The
the braking propulsion system developed by first launch of the Zenit-2 spacecraft, on
Isaev KB. November II, 1961, turned out to be a failure,
caused by a rocket accident, but the second
To return the descent vehicle with the launch, on April 26, 1962, was a success.
12
Following a three-day flight, the spacecraft Venus, and flights of manned spacecraft in
descent vehicle was returned to Earth. The near-Earth orbit, the problem of constructing a
Zenit-2 and Zenit-4 spacecraft were the new heavy launch vehicle was brought to the
beginning of a new trend in the creation of the forefront. A launch vehicle capable of putting
national control aids using spacecraft. In 1964 the larger payloads into orbit was necessary in order
work on Zenit spacecraft was passed over to a to expand exploration of the planets and for
subsidiary of KB which was headed by the creating a new generation of manned spacecraft
OKB-I former leading designer, D. I. Kozlov. capable of on-orbit docking.These are necessary
for constructing a space system without which a
In 1961 the design work for creating the wide study and exploration of space would be
Molniya-l, the first communication satellite unthinkable.
(active relay satellite), and construction of an
experimental communications line based on it, In 1961, in parallel with the development of a
was begun. Calculations showed that new launch vehicle, the R-9 combat missile, with
construction of a large number of comparatively a launch mass of 81 tons and nose cone mass of
simple and inexpensive ground 1.7-2.2 tons was manufactured at OKB-I by the
receiving-transmitting stations and a relay order of the Ministry of Defense. All prelaunch
satellite with a high-power radiated signal was operations were fully automated.The flight range
more economically viable than constructing a of the missile's nose cone was 12,500 km. Work
central communication system and on the creation of solid-propellant medium- and
communicating with other stations via ground long-range missiles (RT-I and RT-2) was also
line networks. While developing the Molniya-l under way.
satellite, the problem of satellite orientation was
solved, and major advances were made in the The NI heavy launch vehicle was developed
designing of high power communication systems during the early I960's. It was designed as a
and their larger power supplies. On April 23, three-stage multipurpose rocket with a launch
1965, the first Molniya-l satellite was launched mass of 2,200 tons and a payload of 75 tons.
into a highly elliptical orbit, and in 1968 a 24-hour
communication system of three satellites was For a launch vehicle with this capability, special
completed. Thereafter, work on communication attention was paid to selection of the propellant
satellites, as an independent development line in components. A comprehensive comparison of
space technology, was passed over to the newly characteristics of various pairs was conducted.
organized KB in Krasnoyarsk headed by S. P. As a result, a nontoxic, less expensive propellant
Korolev's fellow campaigner M. F. Reshetnev. pair - kerosene and liquid oxygen - was selected.
It had the added benefit that both propellant
Late in I960, the Electron-1, Electron-2, components were already being produced. A
Electron-3, and Electron-4 spacecraft were large number of organizations were involved in
manufactured. These spacecraft included two development of the NI rocket, fronted by the
satellites - E-l at 445 kg and E-ll at 330 kg - team led by N. D. Kusnetsov.
which were injected into separate orbits by one
launch-vehicle. The satellites were designed to A series of rockets produced on the basis of the
explore the Van Allen radiation belt (regions of Nl: the Nil, using the second, third, and an
high-energy trapped plasma which come from additional fourth stage, had a launch mass of 700
the solar wind). The first pair of satellites was tons and payload of 20 tons; the NI I I, using the
launched on January 30, 1964 and the second third and an additional fourth stage, had a launch
pair on July 11,1964. mass of 200 tons and payload of 5 tons. In
conformance with the NI project, a multi-engine
After launch of the first artificial Earth satellites, system (24 engines in the first stage) was now
interplanetary stations to the Moon, Mars, and used, the first in rocket building, so that the
payload would be launched even if two pairs of Mishin, continued the work on the development
engines failed. Because of the complexity of the of the NI rocket and the Soyuz spacecraft.
multi-engine system, the rocket was equipped
with the KORD special diagnostic system. On November 28, 1966, the Soyuz spacecraft
flight testing began in unmanned mode. Following
In May 1961 the USA proclaimed their Moon the second unmanned flight (February 7, 1967),
program and considered it their most important on April 23, 1967, the Soyuz-1 with
national task. Our country could not simply pilot-cosmonaut V. M. Komarov aboard was
stand aside. In 1964, Korolev KB was entrusted launched.The flight ended in tragedy. Because of
by the government with the development of an a landing system failure the cosmonaut perished.
analogous project.The "Moon race" had started. Following improvements, testing of the
The mass of the NI launch vehicle payload was unmanned spacecraft was repeated. The
increased initially up to 90 tons and then up to Cosmos-186 and Cosmos-188 unmanned
95 tons. This increase was achieved through the spacecraft, which on October 30, 1967 were the
installation of an additional six engines in the first in the world to dock in orbit in an automatic
central part of the first stage and increasing of mode, were launched. The Cosmos-212 and
the propellant mass, raising the launch mass to Cosmos-213 unmanned spacecraft repeated
2,820 tons. automatic docking in orbit.
Concurrent with the work on the Moon The five unmanned spacecraft flights (including
program, development of the second generation Cosmos-238) confirmed the validity of the
of manned spacecraft, named Soyuz, was begun in adopted solutions. The decision to perform a
1962. On March 7, 1963, S. P. Korolev signed off manned flight was again made. Cosmonaut G.T.
on the design drawings for this spacecraft. In Beregovoy flew in space aboard the Soyuz-3
compliance with the requirements specified in spacecraft. His spacecraft was launched on
1965, a three-man spacecraft capable of October 26, 1968, following the Soyuz-2
performing a wide variety of tasks was designed, unmanned spacecraft. During this flight the
including: automatic and manual rendezvous and spacecraft automatic rendezvous and manual
docking of spacecraft; performance of scientific berthing were tested.
and technological experiments; and testing of the
autonomous navigation process. On January 15, 1969, the Soyuz-4 (cosmonaut V.
A. Shatalov) and Soyuz-5 (cosmonauts B. V.
The three-stage launch vehicle (R-7 + block I), Volynov, A. S. Eliseev, E. V. Khrunov) manned
subsequently called Soyuz, was used to put the spacecraft docked in orbit, constructing an
Soyuz spacecraft into Earth orbit. The Soyuz experimental space station of 12.924 tons. Two
spacecraft included the descent vehicle, crew cosmonauts in space suits passed from one
habitation space, instrument assemblies, and spacecraft to the other through space. In June
strap-on modules. 1970, cosmonauts A. G. Nikolaev and V. I.
Sevastianov performed a long-duration flight
The descent vehicle - about 3 tons with the (17.7 days) on board the Soyuz-9 spacecraft. A
thermal protection diameter of 2.2 m - was Soyuz spacecraft transport modification, and
made in the shape of "a headlight" with an later its modification with the androgynous
aerodynamic quality of 0.30 that, in combination periphery docking unit, was then put under
with the descent control system microengines, development.
provided a gliding descent with a g-load of no
more than 4 g to a preselected landing area. Beginning in 1965, an additional modification of
the Soyuz spacecraft designed for the Moon
In January 1966, academician S. P. Korolev died. fly-around was under development. It was
His successor, academician Vasiliy Pavlovich planned for the Soyuz spacecraft to be launched
14
by the Proton four-stage launch vehicle. Booster V. I. Patsaev, arrived at the station on board the
D, developed by TsKBEM (Korolev KB was so Soyuz-1 I spacecraft and worked there for 22
named), was used as the fourth stage of the days, performing a large number of investigations.
Proton launch vehicle - the first upper stage However, during the descent phase while
providing multiple engine ignitions in space. It returning to Earth, a premature opening of the
was equipped with a TsKBEM-designed ventilation system pyrotechnic valve occurred
closed-cycle engine with 8.5 tons thrust. Using resulting in the tragic deaths of the cosmonauts.
liquid oxygen and kerosene, the engine had a high
specific impulse (349 kg.f-s/kg). On March 10, After this the station made a flight in automatic
1967, the unmanned launches of the 7K-LI mode. Scientific and technical investigations, and
spacecraft of this series, named Zond, began. control of the systems, structure and scientific
During the period 1968-1970 these unmanned equipment under long-duration flight conditions
spacecraft, from Zond-5 to Zond-8, flew around were performed. The Salyut station stayed in
the Moon. near-Earth orbit for about 6 months (until
November II, 1971).
After Moon fly-around and photography, the first
of these spacecraft, Zond-5, splashed down in the On May 1 1 , 1 9 7 3 , the next orbital station -
Indian ocean. For a number of reasons the Moon Cosmos-557 - was put into orbit. Because of the
fly-around by a two-man crew on board the abnormal operation of the ionic orientation
7K-LI manned spacecraft did not take place. system, the flow rate of the working medium in
the actuators system considerably exceeded
During subsequent years, the D-booster was design values. Station orbit correction was
improved and called DM. In 1974-1993, the impossible and within 12 days the station ceased
DM-booster, coupled with the Proton launch to operate.
vehicle, provided launching of over 130 space
objects of the Cosmos, Venera, Raduga, Ekran, The next orbital station - Salyut-4, developed by
Gorizont,Vega, Fobos series, etc. TsKBEM and KB Salyut - was launched on
December 26, 1974 and was in orbit until
In late 1969, on a basis of the scientific and February 3, 1977.Two expeditions, of 28 and 63
technological products available at TsKBEM and days duration, worked aboard the station. The
subsidiary TsKBM's (hereafter KB Salyut), the crews on board conducted integrated scientific
immediate development of an orbital station was and technological experiments.The checkouts of
begun.The orbital and core module body created the station's structure, units and systems under
for the Almaz manned station formed the station conditions of a long-duration flight (resource
basis. Structurally, the station consisted of a work tests) were of considerable importance.
module with zones of large (4.15 m) and small
(2.9 m) diameters, and transfer and service In 1973 TsKBEM and KB Salyut began a joint
modules. The volume of the first station development of a new generation station. Its
habitation module was 90 m3, and the mass of most distinctive feature was a second docking
the scientific equipment was 1.2 tons. unit. While developing the station special
attention was paid to its maintainability in order
On April 19, 1971, the world's first orbital to increase its lifetime.
station, named Salyut, was put into Earth orbit by
the Proton three-stage launch vehicle. The Late in 1968, the assembly of the first NI launch
Soyuz-10 spacecraft was to deliver the crew to vehicle was completed, and on February 21,1969
the station, but because of a failure in the the first launch took place. Its flight duration was
mechanical docking system, the crew could not only 68.7 seconds because of a fire in the aft
transfer to the station. On June 8, 1971, the first section of the first stage, causing the KORD
crew, including G.T. Dobrovolsky.V. N.Volkov and system to cut off all engines. For that first launch,
the NI launch vehicle mass was 2,735 tons, with The extra spacecraft that wasn't used by the
a first stage thrust of 4,500 tons, and payload of Soyuz-Apollo program was reoriented for use in
about 70 tons. the Intercosmos program whose purpose was to
test and improve scientific and technological
During the second NI launch, on July 3, 1969, the methods for studying Earth's geological and
launch vehicle had an accident during the first geophysical characteristics from space in the
seconds of flight and the rocket fell down onto interests of the national economy and
the launching pad. Subsequently, the NI-L3 flight environmental monitoring. For this purpose the
tests were protracted, time being necessary to special photocompartments with a multi-zonal
clarify the causes of the failures and adopt photographic apparatus (MKF-6) developed by
measures for their elimination. the USSR and GDR was installed on board.The
Soyuz-22 spacecraft flight was conducted in
On July 24, 1969, the crew of the U.S. Apollo-1 I September 1976.
spacecraft returned to Earth after landing on the
Moon's surface and political interest in our Moon In February 1976, NPO Energia was charged with
program vanished. the development of a reusable rocket and space
system including the Energia launch vehicle and
The development of the booster and spacecraft Buran orbital vehicle.This system was created to
for the Moon program had been completed.The counterbalance the U.S. Space Shuttle
operational capability of the Lunar spacecraft transportation system so as to maintain parity
was checked out in near-Earth orbit as a part of with the US militarily and with respect to
the T2K unmanned experimental spacecraft subsequent space exploration. An important
which was launched by the Soyuz launch vehicle difference between this and earlier programs
on November 24, 1970 (Cosmos-379), February was that the heavy-lift launch vehicle and the
26, 1971 (Cosmos-398) and August 12, 1971 orbital spacecraft were being created separately.
(Cosmos-434).
The Energia launch vehicle, with a launch mass of
The third (June 27, 1971) and fourth (November 2,400 tons and initial thrust of 3,550 tons, is a
23, 1972) launches of NI-L3 were not successful. two-stage rocket integrated in a single package.
In December 1972, the USA completed their The first stage consists of four side boosters
Moon program with the Apollo-17 flight, which with a four-chamber liquid-fuel engine burning
determined the fate of the NI rocket. liquid oxygen and hydrocarbon in each booster.
The second stage is the vehicle's central module
In May of 1974, NPO Energia, the main part of with four liquid-fuel rocket engines burning liquid
which became TsKBEM, was headed by oxygen and liquid hydrogen.
academician Valentin Petrovich Glushko. By that
time the preparation of the Soyuz-Apollo flight After completion of thorough ground testing, the
had been completed. The program director of first launch of the Energia rocket, with the
the Soviet part was K. D. Bushuev. Two Soyuz "Skif-DM" (or"Polus") spacecraft designed at KB
spacecraft and four crews were in preparation Salyut, was performed on May 15, 1987.
for the flight. In July of 1975, the Soyuz-19 and
U.S. Apollo spacecraft docked in orbit. Soviet The Buran orbiter was developed in parallel with
cosmonauts A. Leonov and V. Kubasov shook the launch vehicle.The orbiter was being tested
hands and exchanged pennants with the U.S. under flight conditions with the use of a
astronauts T. Stafford.V. Brand, and D. Slayton and prototype spacecraft. Additional engines were
they performed joint experiments.The flight was installed on the prototype orbiter. On
successfully completed with the cosmonaut's November 10, 1985, it performed its first flight
landing. over Zhukovsky town. Development of the
orbiter systems and on-board automatic
16
equipment, including software, had also been being tested as a part of the station complex, for
proceeding. The first flight of the orbiter was more than 100 days. A manned version of the
planned to be unmanned. At last, on November Soyuz T spacecraft became the main transport
15, 1988 at 6:00 a.m. Moscow time, the vehicle for delivering cosmonauts to the orbital
Energia-Buran system made its first flight. stations. Soyuz spacecraftT-2 delivered a crew to
the station on June 6, 1980.
A combined propulsion system of NPO Energia
design was installed in the Buran orbiter. It Between 1977 and 1981, 16 crews carried out
included engines for orbital maneuvering, control work aboard the Salyut-6 station (it deorbited
and precise orientation. Oxygen and synthetic on July 29, 1982), and the total stay duration was
hydrocarbon fuel, which all engines burned, were 676 days. During that time unique research was
contained in common propellant tanks. performed in astrophysics, geophysics, substance
structure, and on the effects of long-term flight
After completing a two-circle orbital flight, the conditions on the human organism. Additionally,
Buran orbiter performed an automatic landing a survey of Earth's natural resources; ecological
on an airfield not far from the launch site. The monitoring of the Earth's surface, lakes, rivers,
automatic landing system provided landing and atmosphere; production of new materials
accuracy within centimeters of the design and highly effective biological substances; and
prediction.The flight duration was 205 minutes. EVA's were performed.
On September 29, 1977, a new stage in manned On April 19, 1982, the Salyut-7 station was put
cosmonautics was opened with the Salyut-6 into orbit.The crew was delivered to the station
station launch. Salyut-6 was a new generation by the Soyuz T-5 spacecraft launched on May 13,
station equipped with two docking units. The 1982. Ten crews worked aboard the Salyut-7
station was first visited by the crew of the station, continuing research work begun by
Soyuz-26 spacecraft launched on December I I, cosmonauts on board the Salyut-6 station. The
1977. Delivery of propellants for the propulsion total flight duration in the manned mode was
system and different cargoes to the station was about 800 days. Eleven cargo spacecraft of the
provided by Progress unmanned cargo spacecraft Progress-series and two logistics spacecraft of
(the first launch was made on January 20, 1978) 20-ton class - Cosmos-1443 and Cosmos-1686
created on the Soyuz spacecraft basis. (jointly designed by KB Salyut and TsKBM) -
delivered propellants and cargoes to the station.
The first international crew, consisting of In October of 1984, the Salyut-7 station, with the
spacecraft commander A. A. Gubarev and docked transport logistics spacecraft
cosmonaut-researcher V. Remek (ChSSR), was Cosmos-1686, was transferred into a 480 km
delivered to the station on March 3, 1978 by the orbit to perform prolonged life tests of the
Soyuz-28 spacecraft (launched on March 2, complex equipment and systems in automatic
1978). They performed scientific and technical mode.
research during their stay on board the station.
Early in 1985, the power supply system of the
On December 16, 1979, a new Soyuz T Salyut-7 station failed. The station's orientation
unmanned transport spacecraft, developed on was disturbed and it no longer responded to
the basis of the Soyuz spacecraft, was launched. Control Centre commands. In June of 1985, to
New onboard systems, including systems for restore the station's serviceability, the SoyuzT-13
radio communication, attitude control, motion spacecraft was launched, which docked
control and an onboard computer complex, successfully to the station in the manual control
were installed aboard the SoyuzT spacecraft. On mode. The cosmonauts restored the station's
December 19, 1979, the spacecraft was docked operability.The Salyut-7 / Cosmos-1686 complex
to the Salyut-6 station and remained docked, terminated its functioning on February 7, 1991.
The accumulated experience of the Salyut-6 and Developments in orthopedic prosthetics and the
Salyut-7 stations made it possible to proceed to creation of different consumer products were
creation in orbit of a permanent manned added to the main activities of NPO Energia.
complex with specialized orbital modules for Within a short period of time the NPO Energia
scientific and national economic purposes. The specialists, engaged in space subjects, mastered
Mir orbital station - yet another new generation the production of prostheses, which are highly
station - formed the core module of a competitive with the best foreign offerings.
permanent complex. The station was equipped
with a new docking system and six docking units. The search for new, even more effective launch
The core module and add-on modules of the vehicles, and the planning of more manned
complex were developed jointly with KB Salyut. programs proceeded vigorously in the field of
space exploration. A ballistic recovery capsule
On February 20, 1986, the Mir core was put into was developed for installation in the Progress M
orbit. On March 15, 1986, the Soyuz T-15 transport cargo spacecraft. At the completion of
spacecraft delivered the first crew to the station. a mission, during descent, this capsule separates
The crew stayed aboard the station until May 5, from the spacecraft and delivers the research
then the Soyuz T-15 spacecraft, with the crew on results to the ground. The first ballistic capsule
board, was undocked and performed the world's was delivered to the Mir complex by the
first orbital transfer to the Salyut-7 station. The Progress M-5 cargo spacecraft on September 27,
crew operated on board the Salyut-7 station for 1990, and was returned to the region of the
over 25 days, and then, on June 26, 1986, the descent vehicle's landing site on November 28,
Soyuz T-15 spacecraft returned them to the Mir 1990.
station, bringing along about 400 kg of scientific
equipment from Salyut-7 for further use on the International co-operation has been continually
Mir complex. pursued.The Mir space station remained in orbit
for more than 15 years until it deorbited in
To deliver crews to the multipurpose manned March of 2001 .The Mir station clearly confirmed
complexes of the modular type, a modified the efficiency and practical return of the
spacecraft - Soyuz TM - was developed. The module-type space station.
Soyuz TM included new systems, among them,
systems for rendezvous, radio communication, Despite economic difficulties, the NPO Energia
emergency rescue, and a new combined staff retains its creative potential and does its
propulsion system. On May 2 1 , 1986, an best to continue the development of national
unmanned Soyuz TM spacecraft docked to the rocket-space technology, being true to Korolev's
Mir station for complex experimental tests in precept - "so little is achieved, so much is to be
automatic flight with the station. done."
On February 6, 1987, the Soyuz TM-2 spacecraft Based on the Energia launch vehicle, NPO
delivered a new crew to the Mir station and on Energia has created a configurable series of
March, 3 1 , the first scientific (astrophysics) launch vehicles. By selecting the set of side
module — Kvant — was docked to the station. boosters to be used and then effecting standard
modifications to the central module, the series of
Since 1989, NPO Energia has been headed byjuri launch vehicle permutations achievable make it
P. Semenov, and the manned programs are being possible to effectively put into orbit payloads of
further developed. Continuing on, the Kvant-2 widely differing masses - a light class launch
add-on module (December 6, 1989) and Kristall vehicle is capable of putting into near-Earth orbit
technological module (May 31, 1990) were a payload of up to 5 tons, while a
docked to the station, and the Mir station superheavy-class launch vehicle can lift to orbit
program became goal-oriented. up to 200 tons of payload.The Energia-M launch
18 The legacy of S. P. Korolev
vehicle, capable of lifting up to 34 tons, is of space exploration. Only during long-term

particular interest in this series. Because NPO manned flights can fundamental research be
Energia offers this configurable series of launch conducted in astrophysics, geophysics, ecological
vehicles, cosmonauts get a unique system monitoring of the Earth's surface, lakes, rivers
solution for each mission, tailored specifically to and atmosphere, and the Earth's natural
the mission, for payloads from light to resources. As well, production can be developed
superheavy. for valuable materials and biological commodities
whose unique properties are only available from
Availability of these practical and efficient launch manufacturing in space.
vehicles provide Russia with the ability to solve
all its national economic and scientific problems, Since July 1994, NPO Energia has been called S.
to offer launch vehicles to the international P. Korolev Space Corporation Energia (RSCE).
marketplace, and to extend international
cooperation when performing joint space RSCE has maintained that creation of orbital
programs. space stations should become an international
affair and has considered a number of proposals
Only through the use of the Energia launch on co-operation. The well-developed Soyuz TM
vehicle can we address most efficiently the spacecraft is ideally suited as an ACRV for any
problems of mankind that can be solved only by international programs, including international
the exploration and exploitation of space. The space stations. NPO Energia (RSCE) is currently
Energia launch vehicle provides effective and a prime contractor and Russia's main contributor
global solutions for tasks pertaining to for the International Space Station project.
communication, broadcasting, and ecology that
require the use of large space platforms, and The offer of RSCE participation is open to
exploration of the Moon, Mars, and the Solar everybody, and the results of this activity may be
System. used by any organization in any country.
The Mir permanent orbital space station has RSCE stands ready to provide launch vehicles,
played a specific and vital role in the furtherance spacecraft and orbital stations for investigations
of space technology. The experience gained on and explorations in mutually beneficial space
Mir will help us to define an optimum program of programs.
Sergey Pavlovich Korolev

The founder of practical cosmonautics.
Chief Designer of the first rocket / space systems.
The founder and first manager of OKB-1 (1946-1966)
20
The Council of Chief Designers - consisting of M. S. Rjazansky, N. A. Piljugin, S. P. Korolev,V. P. Glushko.V. P. Barmin, and V.
I. Kuznetsov - was organized on Korolev's initiative. Complex problems in the development of specific areas of rocket /
space technology were discussed by the Council.
The first Russian rocket, the R-l, was designed under the leadership of S. P. Korolev.The R-l rocket complex, put into
operation in 1950, included both engineering and launch facilities. The R-l rocket was manufactured in a series of
variations, each specific to a particular type of task.
The
engineering
facilities for
the R-1
rocket.
The launch
facilities for
the R-1 rocket.
Completion of the R-l rocket launch preparation. The launch of the R-1 rocket. The R-l rocket in flight
22
Rockets to investigate the upper atmosphere on the R-1 rocket base
The R - 1 E rocket payload

module.The recoverable payload
module mass was 760 kg.
The R-IA rocket (left). The first

rocket that delivered scientific
equipment in recoverable
containers (seen in the area of the
stabilizers) into the upper
atmosphere.
The R-IE rocket (right). The

fuelled rocket mass was 14,21 I kg.
Installation of an instrument container into a

payload carrying mortar.
Recoverable instrument container after flight.
Landing of the rocket's payload upon flight

completion.
The R-1D rocket payload

module.
The R-ID rocket (left).
The R-ID rocket on the

launch pad with the carriage
lowered.
24
The engineering facilities for the R-2 rocket.
The launch facilities for the R-2 rocket.
The R-2 rocket engine firing. The R-2 rocket in flight.
The R-2 rocket.This rocket had a separable payload module.

Regular launches of the rocket began on October 26, 1950.
The R-2 was developed in the shortest possible time owing
to the use of parts and rigging from the R-1 rocket design.
The R-2A rocket - designed

on the basis of the R-2, to
investigate the upper
atmosphere - before launching
The R-2A rocket in flight.
The R-2A rocket payload

module (right).
The R-2E rocket. The first launch of the R-2E

experimental rocket was performed on September 21,
1949. Rocket launches were performed to test the
serviceability of the R-2E rocket's systems.
26
The first strategic rocket, the R-5.The fuelled rocket mass was 28,570 kg.
The R-5 rocket with additional strap-on warheads.
The
engineering
facilities for
the R-5
rocket.
The launch
facilities for
the R-5
rocket.
The R.-5A rocket.This rocket made it possible to investigate the atmosphere up to altitudes of 500 km.The fuelled rocket
mass was 29,3 14 kg.
The R.-5A rocket payload module. The

recoverable payload module mass is 1,350 kg.
The rocket payload module upon separation during integrated tests
The recovered
payload module
after landing.
The R-5A rocket before launch

28
Installation of the R-5M rocket onto the

launch pad.
The R-5M rocket engine firing.
R-5M rocket launch processing (above).
The R-5M strategic rocket with a nuclear charge (left).

Transportation of the R-5V rocket and its

installation on the launch pad. R-5V launches were
performed until 1975 as part of the vertical
program.
A Pravda newspaper report on atmospheric investigation using rockets.

Transportation of the R-1 I

rocket.
Installation of the R-l I rocket on the launch pad.
The R-l I was the first

operative tactical rocket to
burn a storable propellant.The
R-l I was highly mobile. The
rocket's launch mass was 5,350
kg.
The
engineering
facilities for
the R-II
rocket.
The launch
facilities for
the R-lI
rocket.
The R-l IFM rocket on a submarine, ready for launch.
The R-l IFM rocket launch from a submarine.
The R-1 IM rocket with a The sea-based R-1 IFM rocket. The R-l I FM rocket immediately following launch from
nuclear charge. This rocket was launched from the submarine.
a submarine in the above-
water position.
Design and development of launch vehicles
The R.-7 intercontinental rocket.This was the world's first rocket capable of delivery of a nuclear warhead to any point
in potential enemy territory.The Earth's first artificial satellites were launched using this rocket.
Rocket assembly and systems checks were performed in the stationary assembly-test building.The four-chamber main
engines and control engines (a four-chamber engine in the core, and a two-chamber on the side module) can be seen.
34 The Legacy of S. P. Horolev
The R-7 rocket in flight. The first The R-7 rocket before launch (May 15, 1957).
successful launch was performed on
August 21, 1957.
The R-7 rocket was launched from the stationary launch facility - a complex engineering facility.
Onset of Space Era
The first EAS (Earth Artificial Satellite) was

mounted under the launch vehicle's payload
shroud.
On October 3, 1957,
the world learned
the Russian word
"Sputnik." On that
day TASS informed
the world of the
launch of the first
artificial satellite.
Sputnik massed 83.6
kg and was the first
man-made object to
orbit the Earth.
The container for

the first EAS.
36 The Legacy of S. P. Korolev
The Sputnik launch vehicle was designed on the basis of the R-7 rocket.
The state commission on Earth's first artificial satellite launch (first row, from left to right): G. R. Udarov, IT. Bulychev,A.
G. Mr/kin, M.V. Keldysh, S. P. Korolev (technical manager),V. M. Rjabikov (chairman of the commission), M. I. Nedelin, G.
N. Pashkov.V. P. Glushko.V. P. Barmin, (second row) M. S. Rjazansky, K. N. Rudnev, N.A. Piljugin, S. M.VIadimirsky, and V. I.
Kuznetsov.
The launch
vehicle with
the first EAS
immediately
following lift-
off.
The prototype of the first EAS and its shroud in

the RSCE museum.
The second EAS, which massed 508.3 kg. The dog Laika
was the passenger aboard the satellite.
Laika before boarding the special EAS compartment.
The prototype of the second EAS in the RSCE museum.

The third EAS.
The third EAS frame with instruments

and power supply units.
Mating of the third EAS to its launch vehicle.
The third EAS body in the R.SCE museum.

Onset of Flights to the Moon
Mankind's dream had come true. The Earth's first

messenger to the moon - the Mechta interplanetary
station (Luna-1) flew at a distance of 5-6 thousand km
from the Moon and then
became a satellite of the Sun.
Accommodation of the
lunar interplanetary station
under the E rocket module
payload shroud.
The R-7 rocket with the E module and Luna-1

interplanetary station.
The Luna-2 interplanetary station (above) and the

prototype of the Luna-2 in the RSCE museum (right).
Pennants
delivered to the
Moon by the
Luna-2
interplanetary
station.
42
The prototype of the Luna-3 interplanetary

station in the RSCE museum.
The Luna-3 interplanetary station.
The general view of the Luna-9 automatic interplanetary station.

The prototype of the

automatic lunar station in the
RSCE museum.
The world's first closed-loop

liquid rocket engine had a
thrust of about 7 tons and was
developed at Korolev's KB.
The engine was installed on
the L booster of the Molniya
four-stage launch vehicle.
Pennants delivered by automatic interplanetary

stations to the Moon.
44
Transportation of a four-stage launch vehicle (R-7 plus rocket unit I plus booster L) with an interplanetary station.
Installation of the four-

stage launch vehicle with
an automatic inter-
planetary station onto
the launch pad.
First vehicles to investigate Venus and Mars

Venera-l (IVA).
Venera-2(3MV-4No.4).
A Pravda newspaper report on the launch of the

Venera-1 automatic interplanetary station.
Zond-l (3MV-I No.4).
Venera-2(3MV-4No.4).
Mars-1 (2MV-4No.4).
Zond-2 (3MV-4 No. 2).
Mars-1 (2MV-4 No. 4).

Venera-3 (3MV-3 No. I).
Pennants delivered by the Venera-3

automatic station to the surface of
Venus.
Onset of Manned Flight
The Vostok-1 spacecraft (IKP).
The Vostok three-stage

launch vehicle consisted
of a modified R-7 rocket
and an E rocket unit with
the spacecraft.
The Vostok spacecraft on the carriage in the
shop.
Integration of the E rocket unit with the Vostok

spacecraft.
50
Transportation of the
Vostok launch vehicle
with the Vostok (first
manned) spacecraft to
the launch complex.
Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin - Earth's first cosmonaut. Last steps on the ground before TheVostok launch vehicle in flight
his historic flight.
The Vostok launch vehicle engines firing.
The descent vehicle of the Vostok

first manned spacecraft in the
RSCE museum.
The Voskhod multi-man spacecraft made it possible to put a crew of three

people into space, and as well provided a special airlock through which a man
Loading of the Voskhod spacecraft in
could egress into space.
the assembly-test building (ATB).
The airlock assembly of theVoskhod-2 spacecraft.
M.V. Keldysh inspects theVoshkod spacecraft.

52
The Voskhod spacecraft

descent module was
provided with a soft
landing system.
Preparing the Voskhod spacecraft for flight.
The Voskhod spacecraft on its support.
The Voskhod spacecraft as viewed from

the BPS. The spacecraft has a back-up
solid-propellant braking rocket engine.
Mating of the Voskhod spacecraft

to the I rocket unit.
The Voskhod spacecraft payload

shroud in the ATB.
Cosmonaut A. A. Leonov before

flight. He was the first to egress
into space and stayed there for 12
minutes and 9 seconds. He moved
away from the spacecraft a
distance of 5 meters.
Transportation of the launch vehicle

with the Voskhod spacecraft to the
launch pad.
54
Fueling of the launch vehicle for the

Voskhod spacecraft.
Installation of the launch vehicle with the

Voskhod spacecraft onto the launch pad.
TheVoskhod research spacecraft, designed for long-term flight.
TheVoskhod spacecraft for physico-technological studies.

56
The Molniya
satellite was
the first
communication
satellite. It was
put into a
high-elliptic
orbit and
provided
communication
between the
central regions
and the far
east.
A twenty-four hour, long-range communication The prototype of the Molniya communication satellite in the
system was developed using the Molniya RSCE museum.
communication satellites.
The Zenit-2 satellite. It was the first special-purpose unmanned satellite from which Earth photography was performed.
The Zenit-4 satellite.

58
The Zenit satellite, assembly and check before

flight.
The Zenit satellite is prepared for mating

with the rocket.
The Electron satellite system made it possible to get data

on the radiation belt and the Earth's magnetic field that was
necessary to provide radiation safety on manned flights.
Combat Missiles Designed in OKB-1
The R-9 missile in

flight. Its launch took
The R-9 oxygen- place on April 9,
kerosene-fuelled 1961. In 1964 the
missile. missile complex was
introduced into the
inventory.
An R-9A missile near

the Armed Forces
Museum in Moscow.
The RT-2 missile

(left) was the first
intercontinental
solid-propellant
missile. Its first
launch took place on
February 26, 1966. In
1968 the missile was
added to inventory.
The RT-I missile

(right). The first
strategic solid-pro-
pellant missile. Its
first launch took
place on April 28,
1962.
The GR-I three-stage global missile capable of destroying a target at any point on Earth from any direction.
62
Vasily Pavlovich Mishin

Chief designer of OKB-I
from 1966 until May 1974
The Soyuz
spacecraft
(7K-OK)
designed to
execute a wide
variety of
tasks, including
automatic and
manual
rendezvous,
and docking
with orbital
spacecraft and
stations.
The Soyuz spacecraft in the

shop.
The Soyuz spacecraft on the mounting bogie.

64
The Soyuz launch

vehicle (I I AS I I).
The rocket houses
the emergency
crew recovery
system which
makes it possible
to move the
descent vehicle
away from the
rocket in distress.
The completion of the erection of the Soyuz launch vehicle

with the spacecraft on the pad.
The Soyuz launch vehicle with the spacecraft ready for launch.
The Soyuz launch vehicle launch.
Cosmonaut V. M. Komarov operating the spacecraft

rendezvous trainer.
The Soyuz launch vehicle ready for launch.

The Soyuz spacecraft (7K-OK.) docking in orbit (top). The first

docking of the Soyuz spacecraft was carried out in the automatic
mode during the flight of the Cosmos-186 and Cosmos-188
unmanned spacecraft.
The Soyuz spacecraft docking in orbit.The Soyuz-4 and Soyuz-5

manned spacecraft docked on January 15, 1969. Cosmonauts
transferred from one spacecraft to the other through space.
The Soyuz descent vehicle after landing.

The first flight to the Moon with return to the Earth
The LI space complex for the circumlunar fly-by.This complex flew five times under the name of Zond.The complex
flown used the D block rocket using multiple engine I I D58 firings
The Zond automatic station.
The mission profile of the 7K-LI spacecraft of the LI complex.

68
Transportation
of the LI
complex to
the launch
area.
The Proton
launch vehicle
with the LI
complex on
the launch
pad.
Launch of the Proton vehicle with the LI complex.
The close-cycle liquid fuel rocket engine I ID58M of TsKBEM

development.This engine of 8.5 tons thrust uses oxygen and
hydrocarbon fuel as propellant components. It was the world's
first engine to provide multiple in-flight firing.
70
The Earth and Moon photographs taken with photographic

equipment on board the Zond-5 and Zond-6 stations.
The descent vehicle of the Zond-5 station in the Indian

Ocean after its return from circumlunar flight.
Lunar Manned Program activities

In accordance with
the lunar manned
program, the NI -
L3 system was
designed, which
included the Nl
three-stage rocket
and L3 lunar
complex.
The A block was

used as the first
stage of the NI
rocket.
The maximum
diameter of the
block is 16.8
meters (dimensions
taken by stabilizers
are 22.33 meters)
with a height of
30.1 meters. The
block houses 30
engines with
ground thrust of
153 tons each.
72
The V block was used as the third stage. Maximum diameter of

the block is about 7.6 meters with the height (by the interfaces)
being I 1.5 meters. The block houses four engines with a
vacuum thrust of 41 tons each.
The B block was used as the second stage of the N I

rocket.The maximum diameter of the block is about
10.3 meters with a height of 20.5 meters. The block
houses 8 engines with a vacuum thrust of 180 tons
each.
The N I launch vehicle on the mounting bogie in the assembly-test building of the cosmodrome.
The L3 lunar rocket complex including G and D rocket blocks, the lunar orbiter with the I rocket block and the lunar
vehicle with E rocket block.
The lunar orbiter including the habitation compartment and the

vehicle to be descended to Earth, as well as the I rocket unit, and
the instrumentation and service module.The orbiter mass in ALS
orbit is 9,850 kg. Maximum length is about 10 meters, diameter
being 2.9 meters.
The lunar orbiter on the mounting bogie.
74
The lunar vehicle consisting

of the lunar descent
assembly, the cosmonaut's
cabin with various systems,
and the E rocket unit with
main and stand-by engines.
The lunar vehicle in

the shop.
The 7K-LIS unmanned space vehicle used during the first launch of
the NI rocket, instead of the orbiter and the lunar vehicle, on
February 21,1969.
The L3 lunar complex in the assembly-test building.
The
7K-LIS
unmanned
spacecraft
in the
assembly
jig-
76
The N I-L3 system on the way to the

launching complex.
The NI-L3 system near the launch

pad.
The NI-L3 space system on the

transport-erecting assembly in the
assembly building, ready for roll-out to
the launch area.
The NI-L3
system is
erected
vertically on
the launcher.
The transport-
erecting
assembly is not
moved away.
Erection of the
NI-L3 system
on the
launcher.
The N I-L3 system on the launcher ready for launch.

78
The T2K space vehicle was used for developing the lunar vehicle's systems under
space conditions in near-Earth orbit.
The development of the lunar vehicle landing on a special mock-up.
TheT2K space vehicle launch into orbit.

Launch of the NI-L3 system.

80
Valentin Petrovich Glushko

General designer of NPO Energia
from 1974 until January 1989.
The Soyuz and Apollo spacecraft. In the summer of 1975, spacecraft from two countries docked in near-Earth space for
the first time.
Transportation of the Soyuz launch vehicle with the Soyuz-19 spacecraft to

the launching area.
The Soyuz-19 spacecraft, which took part in the

joint space flight according to the ASTP, in the
assembly-test building being prepared for flight.
82
A view of the Soyuz spacecraft from the The crew on board the docked Soyuz and
Apollo spacecraft. Apollo spacecraft.
The androgynous peripheral docking assembly designed for the

Soyuz and Apollo docking.
The Soyuz-19 descent vehicle in the RSCE museum.
The Soyuz-22 spacecraft (which is modified from the back-up spacecraft in ASTP) to be launched as part of the
Intercosmos program, was equipped with the MKF-6 multizone photographic camera to test the methods and means of
studying geological and geographical characteristics of the Earth's surface from space for the benefit of national economy
and environmental control.
84
Development of Orbital Stations
The Soyuz transport spacecraft (of 7K-T type) docked to the Salyut station.
The first long-

term orbital
station (DOS-
7K had only
one docking
assembly.
The Salyut orbital station on the mounting bogie.

Preparation of the orbital station for mating with the Proton launch vehicle.
The Salyut-2 orbital station, known as Cosmos-557, in the assembly-

test building.
The Proton launch vehicle with the first

Zarya orbital station, which was called
Salyut in the press, on the launch pad.
The Salyut-4 orbital

station on the mounting
bogie.
The Salyut-4
orbital station.
The Soyuz-type transport space-

craft (7K-T) used to supply the
first generation orbital stations.
The Soyuz-IO spacecraft (7K-T)

and subsequent craft had docking
assemblies with a central transfer
hatch through which cosmonauts
could transfer from one spacecraft
to the other without egressing into
space.
88
The Soyuz type spacecraft in its assembly jig.

The Soyuz descent vehicle landing.

The descent vehicle was about 3
tons in mass, and 2.2 meters in
diameter (over thermal pro- Sequence of operations for the crew emergency recovery system of the Soyuz
tection). Its configuration is similar T-type spacecraft.
to a "head-light" (the lift-to-drag
ratio was 0.30).
The Soyuz T spacecraft descent vehicle at the landing site.

90
Operation of
the Soyuz
spacecraft
landing
complex.
Stages of the
Salyut orbital
station
development
The Salyut-6
orbital station
(second
generation
station) had
two docking
assemblies to
which the
transport and
cargo
spacecraft
could be
docked.
92
The Salyut-6 orbital station (second generation station) had two docking assemblies to which the transport and cargo
spacecraft could be docked.
The Salyut-6 orbital station with the docked SoyuzT spacecraft in flight..
The Salyut-7 orbital station with the docked SoyuzT spacecraft

in flight.
The Salyut-7 orbital station with the Cosmos-686 cargo

spacecraft in automatic flight mode.
The Soyuz T transport spacecraft with solar arrays.

94
The I I AS 11Y launch vehicle with the 7K.-ST (SoyuzT)

spacecraft.
Transportation of the Soyuz launch

vehicle with the Soyuz spacecraft to the
launching area.
The Progress cargo spacecraft in flight.
The launch vehicle with the Progress spacecraft.
The Progress cargo spacecraft.

Yuri Pavlovich Semenov

General Director and General Designer
of S. P. Korolev NPO Energia since 1989
The first Permanently Operating Mir Complex in Orbit
The Mir complex core in flight.
The Mir complex core.The core was equipped with six docking assemblies and a new docking system.
98
The Mir complex core with the Kvant module and the SoyuzTM spacecraft in flight.
The launch of the Mir complex core.The launch was accomplished

with the use of the Proton launch vehicle on February 20, 1986.
The Soyuz launch vehicle flight.

The SoyuzTM spacecraft intended for delivery and change of the crew on the Mir complex.
Installation of the Soyuz launch vehicle with SoyuzTM spacecraft onto the launching pad.
The Progress M cargo spacecraft intended for delivery of fuel and other consumables to the Mir complex.
An international crew on board the Mir complex.
Launch of the Soyuz launch vehicle with the Progress

M cargo spacecraft.
The Progress M
spacecraft equipped
with the recovery
ballistic capsule.
The recovery
ballistic capsule
made it possible to
deliver results of
investigations
carried out by
cosmonauts on
board the Mir
complex back to
Earth.
The recovery ball-

istic capsule with
the parachute in the
RSCE museum.
The arrangement of modules on the Mir orbital complex core.

The Mir complex with the Kvant,

Kvant-2 and Kristall modules,
transport spacecraft Soyuz TM-
16, cargo spacecraft Progress M-
17 and undocked cargo
spacecraft Progress M-18. The
picture was taken from the Soyuz
TM-17 transport spacecraft on
July 3, 1993.
The Soyuz TM-16 spacecraft in

flight.
Development of the Energia Launch Vehicle and Buran orbiter
The Energia launch vehicle.The first stage consists of four side modules, the second stage is the central module. Engines
of all modules fire at the moment of ignition.The payload is fastened to the side of the central module.For a payload, the
Energia launch vehicle can have the Buran orbiter or the cargo transport container (6.7 meters in diameter where large-
scale load and the booster unit are located).
Preparation of the side modules for

assembly of the launch vehicle. The
RDI70 four-chamber engine (740 tons
thrust near the ground; 806 tons in
vacuum) is mounted on the module.
Assembly of the Energia launch vehicle

is performed in the assembly-test
building of the cosmodrome. The
picture shows the span of the building
with the first stage modules and the
assembled rocket "package".
The versatile stand-start complex for

performing firing tests of the launch
vehicle and for launching.
The Energia launch vehicle at the

versatile stand-start complex.
Transportation of the Energia launch vehicle is

accomplished with the use of a special transport-
erecting assembly.
The Energia launch vehicle at the launching complex.

108
Transportation of the Energia launch vehicle (with the Polus spacecraft on the external suspension) to the versatile stand-
start complex.
The Energia launch

vehicle with the Polus
spacecraft on the
versatile stand-start
complex being pre-
pared for its first
launch.
The first launch of the

Energia launch vehicle
took place at 21:30
Moscow time on May
15, 1987.
no The Legacy of S. P. Korolev
The Buran analog was equipped with four engines permitting its take-off from the aerodrome strip.This allowed it to be
used for the testing and development of orbiter piloting operations to be used during landing following orbital flight.
ROCKET AND SPACE CORPORATION ENERGIA in
Mating the Buran to the Energia launch vehicle.

112
Installing the Energia - Buran system onto the transport-erecting assembly.

Transportation of the Energia - Buran system to the launching complex.
The Energia - Buran system erected on the launcher.The lifting device of the transport-erecting assembly is now vertical.
114
The Energia - Buran system on the

launch pad.
The first launch of the Energia -

Buran system took place at 6:00
Moscow time on November 15,
1988.
The Buran approach and landing on the cosmodrome's airfield runway after two-orbit orbital flight.
116
Trend of development
A number of launch vehicles designed on the basis of the Energia launch vehicle.They use the same elements (modules,
engines, etc.), which substantially reduces the time frame of their development.
Transportation of the Energia-M launch vehicle is accomplished

on the transport-erecting assembly of the Energia launch
vehicle.
The Energia-M launch vehicle erected on the versatile stand-

start complex.
The Energia-M launch vehicle. It includes two first stage Energia side modules
and a shortened central module with one engine.The payload is located under
the nose fairing above the central module.
One version of the proposed permanently operating Mir-2 modular-type complex.
A mock-up of
the versatile
space platform.
Proposed designs for the Globis, Signal andYamal satellite communication system components.
120
Artist's con-
cept of the US
Space Shuttle
docked to the
Mir orbital sta-
tion.
Artist's con-
cept of the
completed
International
space station.
TheYamal 102 communications satellite.The first Yamal

satellite was launched on September 6, 1999.The Yamal
satellites were built for AO Gazcom of Moscow, a joint
venture of Energia and RAO Gazprom, the Russian
natural gas company.
The Yamal satellites have a communications payload of

12 C-band transponders (built by Space Systems/Loral)
and are equipped with Fakel SPD-70 plasma thrusters
for inclination control.
122
One version of the sea-based launchers studied (above).
Testing of a sea-based missile launcher.

Dates of Milestones in Rocket-Space

Technology Creation at
0KB-1 -TsKBEM - NPO Energia
May 13, 1946 April 18, 1953
The decision of the Government to form a number of The first launch of an R-l I tactical missile.
Research Institutes (Nil's), Design Bureaus (KB's).test
organizations, and plants to develop, manufacture and September 16, 1955
test long-range ballistic rockets (LRBR). S. P. Korolev The first submarine launch of an R-l IFM missile.
was appointed as the chief designer of liquid
propellant LRBR. May 15, 1957
The first launch of an R-7 intercontinental ballistic
October 18,1947 two-stage missile.
The first launch of an LRBR in the Soviet Union -
based on the German A4 (V-2) rocket. August 21, 1957
The successful launch of an R-7 intercontinental
September 17, 1948 ballistic two-stage missile.
The first launch of a native LRBR R-l.The rocket
almost reached the specified range, but experienced a October 4, 1957
large deviation from the planned flight path because of The launch of the first artificial Earth-orbiting satellite,
abnormal operation of the control system. a mass of 83.6 kg. It remained in orbit for more than
92 days. On January 4, 1958 the satellite entered the
October 10, 1948 dense upper atmosphere and burned up.
The first successful launch of a native LRBR R-l.
Novembers, 1957
April 21, 1949 The launch of the second artificial satellite, of 508 kg
The first launch (of six) of a geophysical rocket, the mass, with dog Laika on board.
R-1 A. Experiments with rocket head separation were
performed on this rocket. The rocket lifted two May 15, 1958
instrumentation containers to an altitude of 100 km, The launch of the third artificial satellite, a mass of
which then landed by parachutes. 1,327 kg, by an R-7-type rocket with improved
performance characteristics.
September 2 1 , 1 9 4 9
Launch of the R-2E rocket, an experimental check of January 2, 1959
the new R-2 rocket system's serviceability. The launch of the first interplanetary station Luna-1
(Mechta) by an R-7 three-stage rocket, with a rocket
1950 unit E used as the third stage.
The R-1 rocket complex is put into service.
September 12, 1959
1949-1951 The launch of the Luna-2 station which delivered a
The R-2 rocket, with a separable head, is created, then USSR pennant to the Moon's surface on September
the R-2 complex is put into service. 14, 1959.
1951-1956 October 14,1959

Geophysical rockets R-1 B, R-1 E, R-1D and others, and The launch of the Luna-3 station, which photographed
the R-2A are created and launched. Upper the back side of the Moon.
atmospheric and space research is continued.
May 15, 1960
March 1 5 , 1 9 5 3 The launch of an unmanned Vostok-type spacecraft (I
The first R-5 strategic rocket is launched. A KP).
modification of the R-5 (R-5M, first launched on
January 21, 1955) was fitted with a special explosive August 19, 1960
charge. Geophysical rockets R-5A (launches in TheVostok spacecraft (with dogs Belka and Strelka on
1958-1961), R-5V (launches in 1964-1975, among board) is put into orbit.The animals were the first to
them launches within the Vertical program), and be recovered from satellite orbit.
others are created based on R-5 rockets.
124
February 12, 1961 April 23, 1967

The Four-stage rocket (R-7 + rocket units I and L) The launch of a new spacecraft - Soyuz-1 - with V. M.
puts into orbit an unmanned interplanetary station Komarov on board.
(UlS)Venera-l (IVANo2).
October 30, 1967
April 1 2 , 1 9 6 1 Automatic docking of Soyuz-type spacecraft
The first manned spacecraft -Vostok - (3KA) with (Cosmos-186 - Cosmos-188).
Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin on board goes into orbit.
January 15, 1969
April 26, 1962 Docking of the Soyuz-4 and Soyuz-5 manned
The launch of a Zenit satellite to photograph the spacecraft. Cosmonauts transfer from one spacecraft
Earth's surface. to the other through outer space. Creation of an
experimental station of 12,924 kg mass.
August 1 1 - 1 2 , 1962
The first group space flight, comprised of the Vostok-3 1961-1974
and Vostok-4 spacecraft. Work carried out on the Moon program to create a
modular multi-purpose launch vehicle, NI, and a lunar
November I, 1962 complex, L3. On February 21, 1969, complex NI-L3
The unmanned interplanetary station Mars-1 (2MV-4 flight tests began. The program was canceled because
No 4) is put into orbit by a four-stage rocket. of breakdown of the schedule for the lunar complex
creation, and after four (out of four) launch failures.
January 30, 1964
The Electron-1 and Electron-2 satellites are launched April 19,1971
by a single rocket to investigate the Earth's radiation The launch of the Salyut orbital station, which stayed
belts (Van Allen belts). in orbit until October I I, 1971.
October 12, 1964 June 30, 1971

The Voskhod multi-man spacecraft is put into orbit The Soyuz-1 I spacecraft goes into orbit, and then
(3KV) - the first multi-man space flight. docks with the Salyut orbital station. This marks the
beginning of manned flight mode operation for the
March 18, 1965 Salyut station (which lasted 22 days).
The Voskhod-2 (3KD) spacecraft goes into orbit.
A.A.Leonov makes the first ever egress into space. December 26, 1974
The launch of the Salyut-4 station.lt remained in orbit
1961-1968 until February 3, 1977.Two crews operated on board
The R-9, RT-1 and RT-2 rocket complexes are created. the station.
R-9 and RT-2 complexes are added to the national
armory. July 15, 1975
The Soyuz-19 spacecraft is launched, which then
April 23, 1965 docks to the U.S.Apollo spacecraft on July 17, 1975.
The launch of the Molniya-l active retransmitter to The first experimental flight of a space complex
provide an experimental long-distance radio comprised of spacecraft from two countries (the
communication line. Apollo-Soyuz program).
1976
November 16, 1965
The launch of the Venera-3 unmanned interplanetary Beginning of work on the Energia versatile space
transportation system and the Buran orbiter.
station which delivered a pennant to the surface of
Venus on March I, 1966.
September 29, 1977
The Salyut-6 station - a station of the second
January 31, 1966
generation - with two docking units is put into orbit.
The Luna-9 unmanned interplanetary station
It remained in orbit until July 29, 1982. 16 crews
performs a soft landing on the Moon and transmits TV
operated on board the station.
images of the Moon's surface to Earth.
December 10, 1977
March 10, 1967
The Soyuz-26 spacecraft goes into orbit, then docks
The first (Zond) spacecraft launch of the LI (7K-LI)
with the Salyut-6 orbital station. This begins the
program.
Salyut-6 manned operation mode.
January 20, 1978 November 15, 1988

The first Progress unmanned cargo transport An Energia launch vehicle launch with the Buran
spacecraft flight. The first delivery of cargoes to the orbiter attached in an unmanned mode.
station by the transport spacecraft.
August 23, 1989
March 2, 1978 The launch of a Progress M unmanned cargo
The Soyuz-28 spacecraft, with the first international transport spacecraft.
crew on board, goes into orbit and docks with the
Salyut-6 orbital station. 1990
Beginning of work on the Energia-M launch vehicle.
December 16, 1979
The Soyuz T first unmanned flight. It docks with the September 27, 1990
Salyut-6 orbital station and the Salyut-6 / Soyuz T The launch of a Progress M-5 cargo spacecraft with a
complex flight continues for more than 100 days. recovery ballistic capsule on board which delivers the
onboard results to the ground. The landing was
June S, 1980 performed on November 28, 1990.
The Soyuz T-2 manned spacecraft is launched and
docks with the Salyut-6 orbital station. December 2, 1990
Soyuz TM-1 I - Mir Expedition with an international
April 19, 1982 crew including T. Akiyama (a Japanese journalist), the
The Salyut-7 station - a Salyut-6 station back-up - is first commercial passenger to Mir. Akiyama made daily
put into orbit. It remained in orbit until February 7, television broadcasts.
1991.Ten crews operated on board the station.
1992
February 20, 1986 The beginning of extensive international activities in
The core module of the Mir permanent manned joint space exploration programs.
complex is put into orbit. Manned operation mode
began on March 15, 1986. Three special-purpose March 17, 1992
modules (Kvant astrophysics module, launched on Soyuz TM-14 - Joint flight with Germany.
March 31, 1987; Kvant-2 add-on module, launched on
December 6, 1989; and Kristall technological module, 1993
launched on May 31, 1990), as well as a Progress Activities in the Mir complex program continue. The
M-type cargo spacecraft and Soyuz TM-type transport 14th expedition began to operate on board the Mir
spacecraft (with the main crew and a visiting one) are complex from July I.
docked to the core module.
February 3-1 1, 1994
March 13, 1986 STS-60 was the first flight of a cosmonaut aboard the
The Soyuz T-15 spacecraft is launched and docks with US Shuttle. Sergei K. Krikalev as a mission specialist
the Mir complex on March 15, beginning of the conducted joint science programs.
complex manned operation mode. Soyuz T-15
performs an orbital transfer to the Salyut-7 station November 12-20, 1994
and back to Mir (May 5 - June 26) and delivers 400 kg STS-74 was the first shuttle assembly flight to Mir, it
of cargo from Salyut-7 to the Mir complex for further carried a Russian-built docking module with two
use. attached solar arrays.
May 21, 1986 May 1995

Docking of the first Soyuz TM spacecraft (Soyuz TM- The Spektr ("Spectrum") module joined Mir in May
I), in unmanned mode, to the Mir complex. 1995.The module was designed for scientific research,
specifically Earth observation. The final module was
February 6, 1987 the Spektr Remote Sensing Payload. It had instruments
The launch of the Soyuz TM-2 manned spacecraft to study particles in low Earth orbit.This module was
which docks with the Mir orbital complex. damaged in the collision with a supply ship and was
closed up pending final repairs that were never finally
May 15,1987 completed.
The launch of an Energia launch vehicle with the
Skif-DM spacecraft on external suspension.
June 27 - July 7, 1995 November 20, 1998

STS-71 Atlantis performs the first US Shuttle docking The Zarya ISS module is launched by a Proton rocket
with Mir. for rendezvous with the US Unity module.The hatch
between Unity and Zarya is opened for the first time
1995 on Dec 10, 1998.
The docking module was added to Mir during the
second US Shuttle / Mir docking mission, STS-74, in February 20, 1999
late 1995. SoyuzTM-29 docked with Mir on February 22. After
accepting a double-length assignment, Russian
March 22-31, 1996 cosmonaut Viktor Afanasyev set a new cumulative
STS-76 began the continuous U.S. stay on Mir. A single time in space record, but then, for the first time since
Spacehab module was aboard, demonstrating logistics September 1989, there were no humans in space.
capabilities.
July 12,2000
April 1996 The Zvezda ISS module is launched by Proton rocket
The Priroda ("Nature") module was launched in April and docks with the ISS Zarya module on Jul 26. The
1996, completing the assembly of the Mir complex. ISS now consists of three modules: Zvezda, Zarya and
This module carried Earth observing equipment as Unity.
well as experiments.
October 31, 2000
August 17, 1996 Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft launched by Soyuz-U rocket
This launch was the first of the Soyuz-U boosters with carrying the crew of the first ISS Expedition and docks
a crew aboard. with the ISS Zvezda module on November 2, 2000.
February 1997 February 20,2001

During February, a fire occurred aboard Mir, offering The core module of the Mir space station celebrates
new challenges and new information. The first its fifteenth anniversary in orbit.
spacewalk by a U.S. astronaut outside Mir wearing a
Russian spacesuit was made. March 18,2001
"Rock", the first of a pair of direct broadcast digital
June 25, 1997 radio satellites is launched from the Sea Launch
The Progress M-34 spacecraft crashes into Spektr.The platform in the Pacific Ocean by a Zenit rocket into
collision damaged one of the solar panels and also geosynchronous transfer orbit.
punctured the hull, depressurizing the module.
March 23,2001
September 25 - October 6, 1997 The Mir space station is deorbited successfully.
Astronaut Scott Parazynski and Cosmonaut Vladimir Fragments of the world's most successful space
Titov conducted a joint spacewalk. station hit in a remote area of the Pacific following
fifteen years of unprecedented orbital research.
To receive more information

about conclusion of agreement
on services with use
of space/rocket technology,
address:
KSCE
141070 Kaliningrad Moscow region, Lenin street, 4a
Telephone: (095) 513-72-48. Fax: (095) 187-98-77
The contribution of RSCE

to Russian space technology
128

Rocket and Space Corporation Energia-Korolev

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Rocket and Space Corporation Energia-Korolev

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ROCKET AND SPACE

Special thanks for assistance with the English edition to:

Space Media Incorporated and

President of S. P. Korolev Space

vehicle, capable of lifting up to 34 tons, is of space exploration. Only during long-term

Sergey Pavlovich Korolev

Rockets to investigate the upper atmosphere on the R-1 rocket base

The R - 1 E rocket payload

The R-IA rocket (left). The first

The R-IE rocket (right). The

Installation of an instrument container into a

Recoverable instrument container after flight.

Landing of the rocket's payload upon flight

The R-1D rocket payload

The R-ID rocket (left).

The R-ID rocket on the

The engineering facilities for the R-2 rocket.

The launch facilities for the R-2 rocket.

The R-2 rocket engine firing. The R-2 rocket in flight.

The R-2 rocket.This rocket had a separable payload module.

The R-2A rocket - designed

The R-2A rocket in flight.

The R-2A rocket payload

The R-2E rocket. The first launch of the R-2E

The R-5 rocket with additional strap-on warheads.

The R.-5A rocket payload module. The

The rocket payload module upon separation during integrated tests

The R-5A rocket before launch

Installation of the R-5M rocket onto the

The R-5M rocket engine firing.

R-5M rocket launch processing (above).

The R-5M strategic rocket with a nuclear charge (left).

Transportation of the R-5V rocket and its

A Pravda newspaper report on atmospheric investigation using rockets.

Transportation of the R-1 I

Installation of the R-l I rocket on the launch pad.

The R-l I was the first

The R-l IFM rocket on a submarine, ready for launch.

The R-l IFM rocket launch from a submarine.

Design and development of launch vehicles

Onset of Space Era

The first EAS (Earth Artificial Satellite) was

The container for

The prototype of the first EAS and its shroud in

Laika before boarding the special EAS compartment.

The prototype of the second EAS in the RSCE museum.

The third EAS.

The third EAS frame with instruments

Mating of the third EAS to its launch vehicle.

The third EAS body in the R.SCE museum.

Onset of Flights to the Moon

Mankind's dream had come true. The Earth's first

The R-7 rocket with the E module and Luna-1

The Luna-2 interplanetary station (above) and the

The prototype of the Luna-3 interplanetary

The Luna-3 interplanetary station.

The general view of the Luna-9 automatic interplanetary station.

The prototype of the

The world's first closed-loop

Pennants delivered by automatic interplanetary

Installation of the four-

First vehicles to investigate Venus and Mars

A Pravda newspaper report on the launch of the